A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 281

Lorraine spent the whole night mulling it over after she got home from the restaurant. She tuned out her parents’ relentless chatter about marrying into the Murphy family, shut herself away in her bedroom, and let her thoughts spin.

She wasn’t the sort to blindly chase after something she couldn’t have. In fact, she’d always been clear-headed about what was within her reach and what wasn’t.

There was no denying she liked Rowan; she was drawn to him in a way she couldn’t help. But when it came to this engagement, her parents’ wishes had always outweighed her own.

For a long time, she’d told herself it didn’t matter. Rowan didn’t have anyone else in his life. If she just waited long enough, maybe things would finally turn around for her.

But then, that day at the club, she saw the way Rowan looked at Elissa. The longing in his eyes was impossible to miss.

It was as if fate wanted to shatter the last bit of hope she’d been clinging to. Earlier today, Rowan had gone out for a business lunch and, uncharacteristically, left his wallet behind on the desk in his office.

It was right there, in plain sight.

Lorraine had reached out to put it away for him, but as she picked it up, a photograph slipped out from the inner pocket where he always kept it.

A young girl beamed out from the photo, her smile bright and sweet as she cradled a birthday cake in her hands, gazing trustingly at whoever was behind the camera. The number-shaped candles on the cake read sixteen.

It was Elissa.

Lorraine vaguely remembered overhearing something at Murphy Manor during the holidays—someone had mentioned that Rowan broke things off with Elissa not long after her sixteenth birthday.

At the time, everyone had talked about how cold and heartless Rowan was.

Who would have thought that, all these years later, he’d still be carrying around a photo from that last birthday they’d spent together?

In that instant, Lorraine felt something inside her snap—all those lingering hopes, gone.

After all, Elissa and Rowan had spent nine years growing up side by side, followed by eight years of longing. Lorraine’s time was valuable, too; she wasn’t about to waste it chasing after love that might never be hers.

Her upbringing had taught her not to lose her dignity, no matter what.

So when Elissa had been honest with her, Lorraine found herself blurting out everything she’d been holding in.

Evan Murphy was about to say something, but Ian, quick as ever, clapped a hand over his mouth.

The tension in the car was thick enough already—no sense making it worse.

Rowan’s gaze was icy as he turned away from the window and glanced at the driver’s seat. “Drive over there.”

Evan might not have much tact, but he knew his cousin well enough. With a huff, he batted Ian’s hand away, pressed down on the gas, and eased the car forward to where their young mistress was waiting.

Elissa had just finished saying goodbye to Lorraine and was heading toward her own car when the familiar Bentley pulled up in front of her.

Ian hopped out and opened the back door for her, shooting her a conspiratorial look. “Miss, can I have your car keys? I’ll drive your car home for you.”

That way, she’d still have her own car to use in the morning.

“Thanks, Ian.” Elissa handed over her keys, a vague sense of unease settling in her chest, but she pushed it aside and slipped into the backseat.